Jam's comeback halted by Vipers
| Sunday, Mar 29 2009 01:49 AM
Last Updated Monday, Mar 30 2009 04:21 PM
HIDALGO, Texas -- Jawad Williams scored 23 points to lead seven players in double figures as the Rio Grande Valley Vipers beat the Bakersfield Jam 114-101 on Saturday.
The Vipers, who shot 51 percent from the field, built a 33-19 lead at the end of the first quarter.
But the Jam, which entered the game on a four-game winning streak, fell behind by 20 in the second quarter after coach Scott Roth was assessed a techical foul.
Bakersfield responded, cutting the deficit to 58-50 at halftime and pulled to within 1 (74-73) with 2:09 left in the third quarter.
However, Rio Grande Valley's Jared Jordan was called for a technical foul, and the Vipers scored the final eight points of the period and the Jam never threatened again.
Trey Johnson led Bakersfield with 21 points, one of six players to score in double figures. Mateen Cleaves added 18 points and five assists, and Terrance Thomas finished with 17 points and 13 rebounds.
Jeff Trepagnier, who played 36 games with Bakersfield this season, had 18 points, including four 3-pointers, for the Vipers. Kurt Looby added 10 points and 15 rebounds.
The Jam will play at Tulsa at 4 p.m. PDT today.
